ARKANSAS - Debbie Rambo Rogers
Arkansas is a very unusual state politically.
We have voted for Governors from both
parties almost in a pattern of every other
election changing parties
(Clinton/White/Clinton
(Tucker)/Huckabee).
Although historically a Democratic state,
the growth of the evangelical Republican
movement over the last decade was
significant, especially in the Republican
stronghold of northwest Arkansas. We are
most definitely are in the middle of the
Bible belt. In fact it has been said that
Arkansas is the buckle. The state is socially
conservative as a whole, with Democrats
being more moderate than liberal in their
overall stance on social issues.
The last election with its Bush-backlash
brought change here. All of the statewide
offices are held by Democrats, and all of
our Senators and Congressmen are
Democrats with the exception of
Congressman John Boozman (3rd District).
While Boozman won by a large margin, it
was not nearly as large as in the previous
election. The 3rd District of the state
continues to grow rapidly. It’s the
headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores, Tyson
Foods, and J.B. Hunt Trucking. It has been
named as the fastest growing area of wealth
by the Milliken Institute in previous years
and continues to be in the top 10 on their
annual report. As the area grows, more
families are moving here from other parts
of the country which is helping to create a
more diverse community in northwest
Arkansas. This will provide more balance
in future elections and the local county
Democratic committees are growing.
Our former governor, Mike Huckabee, was
fairly popular but not wildly popular. Most
Republicans found him to be too moderate
on issues like immigration and most
Democrats found him too Republican on
everything else (except for his support of
children’s health initiatives). Because of his
moderate stance on things, he will not have
the widespread support of the extreme
conservatives in Arkansas and will not
carry the state in 2008. Hillary (Clinton),
although well-liked by those who
personally knew her, will probably not fare
well here either. She is considered too
liberal (keeping her maiden name until Bill
Clinton decided to run for president), and
too quick to leave the state (not to return
here but instead to move to New York).
Obama has a great opportunity to carry this
state in 2008. His ability to reach out to the
rural voters, to listen and to say No to
political action committees will speak
volumes and needs to publicized to let
those living in small towns across Arkansas
(and the country) know that he IS different.
Turnout among black voters will be very
important especially in the Little Rock and
southern Arkansas areas, as high voter
turnout in the uber-conservative Benton
County will have to be offset.
While Obama has been open with his
religious views, the issues of abortion and
gay marriage will be brought up by the
uber-conservatives as points of contention.
Obama needs to promote that being pro-life
means valuing all lives, not just the lives of
the unborn. It means insuring that children
get a quality education, that the elderly
have access to medicine, and that people
don’t go to bed hungry or homeless. A
coordinated use of his campaign volunteers
doing community service to help make a
difference in the lives of others nationwide
is something that should not be
underestimated.
Like most of America, Arkansans think the
war in Iraq is troubling. Many in the state
are anti-war advocates, but we are a
patriotic group and many of our national
guardsmen having served at least one tour
in Iraq or Afghanistan. It will be important
that Obama provide leadership as to
solutions to the war while continually
honoring the service of those who have
sacrificed. The issue of properly caring for
the medical needs of those who have
served should be a MAJOR platform issue
for him, as this greatly concerns everyone
no matter what their stance is on the war.
When the Senator comes to Arkansas,
below is a list of potential places to visit:
1) College campuses: Take advantage of
the fact that young adults are tired of the
politics as usual in Washington DC and
want to see something change! Some
colleges to consider University of Arkansas
at Fayetteville (NW),Arkansas State
University at Jonesboro (NE, Henderson
State University in Arkadelphia (South
Central), Arkansas Tech University in
Russellville (Central).
2) Little Rock: Definitely a Democratic
stronghold, the steps of Central High
School is the place to talk about education
3) Northwest Arkansas: To be a strong
contender, he needs to be willing to come
to the home of Wal-Mart and to talk about
the need for everyone to have access to
healthcare no matter where they work or
live. (FYI: The University of Arkansas is
located in Fayetteville in neighboring
(Democrat-friendly) Washington County.)
4) A visit in a rural town in southern
Arkansas to talk about economic issues.
I am an independent, socially conservative
Christian, multi-issue voter who is for
Obama all the way in 2008!